Senior Seminar Vocab Quiz #1

abject

very low in spirit or showing hopelessness: Sunk to or exsisting in a low state or condition: very bad or severe.

Sentence: The refugees lived in abject poverty, struggling to find food and shelter.

buffer

something/ someone used for reducing shock resulting from contact: something that serves as a protective barrier.

Trees can serve as a buffer between neighborhoods and busy roads.

capricious

impulsive; unpredictable; bound to change suddenly

Sentence: The weather was capricious, changing from sunny to stormy within minutes.

catharsis

a purifying or getting rid of that brings about renewal, relaxation, or release from tension.

Sentence: The massage provided a physical and emotional catharsis, releasing weeks of built-up tension.

decimate

to destroy a large part of; cause great destruction or harm to; reduce significantly in number

The hurricane decimated the coastal town, destroying homes and roads.

devolve

to fall or be passed usually as a responsibility or obligation: to get worse through a gradual change or evolution.

Sentence : Without clear leadership, the group’s plan started to devolve into chaos.

disabuse

to free from mistakes or false beliefs: to free from error or misconception

Sentence: The documentary aims to disabuse viewers of common myths about climate change.

disingenuous

Lacking in honesty or sincerity; false or hypocritical; insincere

Sentence: The disingenuous man lied about everything

expedient

suitable for achieving something in a given situation in a timely and efficient way

Sentence: It was expedient to take a shortcut to save time.

irascible

having a hot temper and easily angered

Sentence: When getting ragebaited, some would say that I am irascible becuase I am easily angered

Paragon

a model of excellence or perfection

Sentence: the top student of the class became a Paragon for younger students

quirky

having a unique or unusual qualities or behavior, usually in an interesting or appealing way: non tradtiional or non conforing way of thinking or acting

Sentence: The café had a quirky vibe with mismatched furniture and art.

Smug

highly satisfied with oneself; cocky,complacent due to arrogance

Sentence: Emac is very smug as he loves himself a lot

tenuous

having little substance or strength; weak.

Sentence: the tenuous man was very weak and could not walk

waft

to be lightly moved, or blown, as if by the action of wind or waves

Sentence: A cool breeze wafted across the field.